Italian Navy frigate’s visit to Dammam ‘boosts defense ties’

JEDDAH: The visit of the European multi-mission frigate Carlo Margottini in Dammam was a positive sign for Italian efforts to promote defense ties with the Kingdom, Italian ambassador Luca Ferrari said on Thursday.
The frigate left Kuwait on Thursday and is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Friday. Ferrari said it was the perfect time for the arrival of the frigate, 10 months after the visit of the FREMM frigate Carabiniere in the Kingdom in May 2017.
He said that there were "intensive" understandings between Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri and Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), the holding company set up by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the development of Saudi military industries to produce half of military equipment in the Kingdom by 2030.
Ferrari said Saudi Arabia began taking an interest in the naval military industries in the second half of 2016 when Carabiniere pulled into Saudi seas twice; the first time from Dec. 26, 2016 to Jan. 10, 2017 and the second time from May 3 to May 6 in 2017.
"Today, Carlo Margottini is back and its return has a very important meaning, reminding every one of the Kingdom’s concern to conclude cooperation agreements and buy ships to develop its defensive industry," he said.
The frigate Carlo Margottini Sapienza set sail on Feb. 20, and stopped in Pakistan and Kuwait. After Dammam, it will dock in Abu Dhabi before proceeding to Djibouti in April to lead the EU campaign against piracy (Operation Atlanta). Carlo Margottini will remain in the Gulf of Aden until August.
The decision to move the Italian frigate to the Middle East is part of the activities of the Italian Navy, along with allied nations within the framework of multinational cooperation and dialogue between states.

The two kings reviewed bilateral relations and emphasized the strong bond shared by their two countries

Updated 21 March 2019

Arab News

March 21, 2019 16:50

0

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman held a phone call with Moroccan King Mohammed VI, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two kings reviewed bilateral relations and emphasized the strong bond shared by their two countries. They also expressed their keenness to develop and strengthen relations in all fields.
They also discussed recent developments in the region and internationally.